Founded 2016 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Localizing biomanufacturing to secure biologics for Saudi Arabia
Developing top talent and accelerating sector growth in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy.
Why SVAX exists
A chronic gap in local discovery, development and manufacturing capability.
The world faces a significant unmet need for biologics and biosimilars. In the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation the challenge is sharper still: limited access to therapies built for global markets, and few solutions for local health challenges the global industry overlooks.
As a member of the G20, Saudi Arabia is uniquely positioned to lead. SVAX exists to close that gap by building sovereign capability across the biologics value chain, and by developing the national talent that will run it.
Prof. Mazen Hassanain · Chief Executive Officer
About
We deliver innovative solutions
At SVAX we are your trusted partner in biotechnology, dedicated to transforming healthcare through the research, development and manufacture of biologics.
Vision
To position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in biomanufacturing, achieving self-sufficiency and equitable access to life-saving biologics across Saudi Arabia, the GCC and OIC countries.
Mission
To localize biomanufacturing by creating a sustainable supply of life-saving biologics, strengthening national health security, and empowering national talents to lead the biotechnology sector's growth.
Values
We are committed to ethical and responsible biotech research and development. We put patients first, and we build products and therapies that are safe, effective and accessible to all.
Governance
Board of Directors
Scientific & Advisory, Nomination & Remuneration, and Risk & Audit are the three standing sub-committees. They oversee scientific direction, leadership and remuneration, and financial control and regulatory compliance.
Our team
Scientists, engineers, regulatory specialists and operators building the Kingdom's biomanufacturing capability from Jeddah.
What we do
Three businesses, one company
Biotech Business
Advanced research and development in biologics and biosimilars. Proprietary programmes built on licensed IP from regional partners, plus co-development across every stage of the drug lifecycle.
Manufacturing Business
Development and manufacturing services for biologics: cell line development, process optimization, aseptic fill-finish and packaging, to international regulatory standard.
Advisory Business
A contract research organization supporting local and international companies entering the Saudi market: preclinical studies, SFDA regulatory affairs, and biomanufacturing training that builds national capability.
The value chain
From development to the released vial
SVAX runs development, fill-finish, quality release and registration inside the Kingdom, and works with partners upstream for drug substance. The aim is a chain that closes inside the region rather than one that depends on a factory outside it.
National Biotechnology Strategy
Built for the Kingdom's biotechnology strategy
The Kingdom published its National Biotechnology Strategy in January 2024, setting the ambition to lead biotechnology across the Middle East and North Africa by 2030 and globally by 2040. One of its four pillars is biomanufacturing and localization: building the domestic capacity to produce biologics rather than import them, and raising biosimilar adoption above 60% to widen patient access and contain the cost of care. That pillar is the whole of SVAX's business.
Localizing the supply of biologics
Most of the biologics used in the Kingdom are manufactured abroad. Producing them here shortens the supply chain, takes currency and logistics exposure out of the health system, and keeps the industrial value inside Saudi Arabia.
Biosimilars as the route to access
The strategy's target of more than 60% biosimilar adoption is an access target before it is an industrial one. Every biosimilar made locally is a therapy the health system can afford to give to more patients.
Capability, not only capacity
A plant is the visible part. The transferable part is process development, analytical methods, quality systems and a regulatory track record. That is what lets the next molecule reach patients faster than the last.
The strategy targets 11,000 high-quality biotechnology jobs by 2030, and a contribution of SAR 130 billion by 2040, three per cent of non-oil GDP.
Jeddah · Under construction
A sterile fill-finish facility, built to international GMP
Isolator-based aseptic filling, automated inspection and grade-controlled cleanrooms, designed and equipped to international GMP standards.
Infrastructure
Our facility in Jeddah
SVAX is building an aseptic fill-finish facility in Jeddah, designed and equipped to international GMP standards.
Aseptic Fill & Finish
A contract manufacturing facility for biologics, built for sterile drug product across a range of formats and serving both the SVAX portfolio and external manufacturing partners.
What the site is built for
- Isolator-based aseptic filling
- Automated visual inspection
- Grade-controlled cleanrooms
- In-house quality control and batch release
- Secondary packaging and serialisation
- Built to international GMP
Inside the build
Jeddah, as it stands today
Photographed during installation. Every image below is the SVAX facility, not a rendering.
Partners
The network behind the capability
Industry, academia and healthcare, in the Kingdom and internationally.
Media
Media centre
Coverage, announcements and moments from inside SVAX.
Rubedo Life Sciences and SVAX announce strategic partnership during FII Week in Riyadh
Read →PharmaBoardroomInterview: Prof. Mazen M. Hassanain, Co-Founder and Managing Director
Read →HealthTech SummitLocalizing the biotech value chain: transforming Saudi Arabia into a global biotech hub
Read →LinkedInEmpowering Saudi Arabia's biotech future: SVAX's role in the National Biotechnology Strategy
Read →Gallery
Careers
Join our team
We are building the Kingdom's biomanufacturing capability, and we are hiring the people who will run it. Tell us about yourself and attach your CV.
Apply
Why SVAX
Build something that does not exist yet
A GMP facility, a regulatory pathway, a national supply chain. Few careers offer work at this scale this early.
Learn from global operators
Our partners include Sartorius, Boehringer Ingelheim and Henlius. Technology transfer means people transfer too.
National impact
Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy are not slogans here. They are the delivery plan.
Contact
Contact us
Partnerships, manufacturing, advisory services, media or careers. Start here.
Send us a message
Head office
4568 Prince Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz Branch
Bin Hamran Towers (B), 5th Floor, Suite 510-B
Jeddah 23432, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Where Healthy Begins
Build sovereign biomanufacturing capability with us
Whether you are entering the Saudi market, looking for a manufacturing partner, or exploring co-development, we would like to hear from you.